Fatal Defense Page #3

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Well, actually, this is

a really good learning lesson.

Let me show you.

So see here on top the leaves

are really dry,

so it looks like

they're safe to walk on,

but if you

dig a little deeper...

[leaves rustling]

You can see that

what was in the shade

is still holding on

to that morning dew,

that moisture,

which makes it rot,

which makes it slippery.

You guys, thank you so much.

It was so nice to spend the day

with you today.

Bye.

How did you find me?

Well, you know,

I take a great interest

in all of my students.

[laughs] Oh, really?

No.

Um...

Honestly?

Um...

I Google stalked you.

- Really?

- Just a little bit.

- Wow.

- Yeah.

Yeah, well, you know what?

I just... I saw you worked

at this beautiful spot,

and I have never been here,

and I thought, "Well,

you know, maybe...

maybe she wants

to get some lunch."

Well, then it was perfect

timing 'cause I'm starving.

You must love working here.

Oh, I do.

Isn't it beautiful?

I mean, this is my office.

How'd you get into this?

Well, I grew up in New York City

- on the Lower East Side.

- Mm.

There's not a lot

of nature there,

so I'd go up to Central Park

every chance I had.

There's this, like, series of

trails there called the Ramble.

I'd spend hours and hours there.

I guess it just helped me forget

that I lived in the city,

you know?

It helped me forget

all my problems.

That sounds great.

Yeah, it was awesome.

It still astounds me

that a park like that

can exist in a city

like New York City, you know?

I don't know;

I used to go there so much,

I got to know the head arborist,

and he showed me

everything he knew.

I mean, he taught me

all about the different birds

and the different trees

that live there.

My father had just passed away,

so Mr. Crohn was like

a second father to me.

Well, I... I totally

understand that, you know?

I mean, I grew up

in the foster system,

so I spent my whole life

looking for a family.

Yeah.

Come in.

Oh.

How'd he get past

your security system?

Oh, it's new, you know?

I know, nothing like

shutting the barn door

after the horse got out, right?

As long as it

makes you feel safe.

I actually thought

I saw somebody

out there the other night.

It just pushed me

to get it installed.

Out there?

Yeah.

I'm sure it was just, you know.

It's not like the thief

would come back

to the scene

of the crime, right?

Well, you never know

what they're thinking,

but you have

good instincts, Arden.

I trust them.

Thanks.

Do you want some wine or...

Yeah, yeah, wine is good.

This your daughter?

It is.

Emma.

Oh, I wish you could meet her.

She's having a play date

with a girlfriend.

- She's adorable.

- She is.

So where's Dad?

He sort of, um,

disappeared out of our lives.

We haven't seen him

in about a year and a half.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

He got remarried to a lawyer,

so I'm sure they get

to argue a lot together.

She got pregnant really fast,

and they started a new family.

It was almost like

he just wanted to forget

that we ever existed.

Yeah, see, I don't get that.

I don't know how you could

just forget about your family.

Must be really hard

trying to live without her.

That's where the bullet

left my body.

What bullet?

[sighs]

Well, the truth is,

my wife didn't just die, Arden.

She was murdered.

I'm... Logan, I'm sorry.

- I didn't know.

- No.

We don't have to talk about it.

Arden, it's okay.

I can talk about it...

with you.

Okay.

We used to go camping

in the mountains a lot.

Every weekend was like

an anniversary.

There was no TV, no phones,

no Internet.

We were very happy.

Then one weekend there was this

car on the side of the road.

So I slowed down to see

if he needed anything,

had some engine trouble,

needed help.

But he didn't.

- I'm gonna check this out.

- Okay.

Hi.

You need some help?

Yes, I do.

Start walking down the hill.

You don't have to do this.

- Down the hill.

- Come on.

I'm gonna be taking your car...

And what's in it.

No. No, Logan.

Logan, no.

Run, get out!

[gunsh

No, Logan!

No!

Run!

Marie!

[gunshot]

I was lucky.

There was campers

that heard the gunshots,

so the paramedics came,

and they got to me

before I bled out.

They found Marie

facedown in the dirt.

Logan, that's, um...

That's awful.

I'm so sorry.

They caught the guy.

After that, I swore to myself

that I would never be

a victim ever again.

And as I've gotten better

at what I do,

it's become my mission

to make sure that nobody else

is ever one either.

You look fantastic.

Thank you.

You really are special, Arden.

What are you doing?

What?

[door shuts, engine turns over]

[engine revs]

Help!

[loud thudding]

Help!

Help!

Let me out!

[sobbing]

Please let me out.

Is that the best

you can do, is beg?

You beg, Arden?

They could kill you

at any minute, Arden!

They could kill you!

They could take

whatever they wanted!

[engine revs]

Logan, let me out.

Do you know that an American

traveling abroad

is more likely to be kidnapped

than a soldier in a combat zone?

What are you gonna do, Arden?

I'm not a soldier

in a combat zone, Logan.

Let me out.

This is crazy.

Do you think a kidnapper

would let you go

just because you asked?

Come on, Arden,

remember what I taught you, huh?

Remember your training, babe.

Logan, let me out!

The first minute

is vital, Arden.

It's your best chance to escape.

You're close to people.

You're close to the road.

Maybe if you get the trunk open,

somebody on the road

will see you.

Every minute that goes past,

your chances get smaller.

This is crazy, Logan.

Let me out.

[loud thud]

[tires screech]

[ignition clicking]

[keys jingle]

[lock clicks]

[gasping]

[suspenseful music]

Okay, look, all right,

you're zip-tied.

Now, what are you gonna do?

What are you gonna do?

What, you're upset?

Why, 'cause I tied it

behind your back?

Arden, you have narrow hands,

so what does that mean?

Okay, and that's

all you've got to do,

is you just have

to twist them and...

This is insane.

This is insane, Logan.

Let me go right now.

Tuck your hands together,

and you twist,

and you slide, and that's it.

You need to untie me

right now, Logan.

Wait, it is a dangerous world

out there, Arden,

and you should know

that better than anyone.

Please let me go.

Please, just...

[sighs] Turn around.

Turn around.

Look, you're special, Arden.

You have the potential

to be the best,

and then you're never

gonna be afraid,

not ever, not ever again.

Psychotic!

You are psychotic!

You can't do this to people!

I know.

I know it was a little intense,

but you're okay now,

and I'm gonna work with you.

I'm gonna show you.

God, oh, no.

You're psychotic.

I don't ever

want to see you again.

Arden, come on.

I have to drive you home.

Arden, come on.

Get back in the car.

I'm calling the police.

You're calling the police?

I'm just trying

to help you, Arden!

Can't you see that?

Don't you get it?

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